Michael Zuidema: Tragic River Run death should not deter others from running

When Fifth Third River Bank Run race director Kristen Aidif woke up Sunday morning, all she could think about was Kristi Kinzler.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Kinzler’s husband, Jason, collapsed and died about a mile from the finish line of the 25K run. Autopsy results show Jason Kinzler died of a heart attack caused by coronary artery disease. The 37-year-old former Grand Valley State football star left behind a wife and three young children.

About a year ago, Aidif lost her father-in-law to the same disease. Before he died, doctors had told him he had the heart of an 18-year-old. A few months later, though, he had a massive heart attack laying in bed. Moments later, he was gone.

Despite similar circumstances, Aidif can’t imagine what Kinzler’s widow must be going through right now.

Jason Kinzler

“Obviously, when something like this happens, it breaks your heart,” Aidif said. “Because a day that should be so wonderful for the Kinzler family turns into this horrible tragedy, and your heart just breaks for them.”

It was a shock to everyone, especially considering Kinzler had finished last year’s 25K run in an outstanding 2:00:51.

More than 200,000 people have participated in the River Bank Run in the past 34 years, and Aidif said this is just the third time an incident like this has occurred.

Frankly, as scary as it might sound, it’s surprising that number isn’t a little higher — especially if you factor in the hundreds of road runs that are held annually throughout West Michigan.

As stunning and tragic as Kinzler’s death was, I hope it won’t deter anyone from taking up running.

As a veteran of nearly 100 races, I have never felt more safe than I have at the River Bank Run. The sheer volume of volunteers, aid stations, medical personnel, police officers, spectators and fellow runners — and community as tight as any in athletics — is massive.

“You hope people keep that in perspective,” Aidif said. “You don’t want people to get worried and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I better not run a marathon or a 25K or a half-marathon because it’s going to be detrimental to my health.’ ”

By all accounts, Kinzler was attended to by police officers and EMS immediately.

Sometimes, though, these tragic situations simply are unavoidable. It’s unfair and it can be terrifying.

And it’s a sober reminder that runners need to be proactive when it comes to health.

I have witnessed scores of people collapse at races throughout the area over the years, whether it’s simply from exhaustion or something far more serious. It’s always unsettling, which is why runners — and, really, all athletes — need to take care of themselves, both on and off the race course.

Get a check-up and don’t be afraid to ask the doctor questions. Know your family’s medical history. Hydrate during runs. Train for the proper distance.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If something doesn’t seem right, then it probably isn’t.

Be careful, be smart, be fit. The longer the distance, the more important that becomes.

That may seem obvious, but it’s all about being as informed and educated as possible when it comes to health. As easy as it is to strap on a pair of shoes and go out for a jog, there’s a lot more to running than just sticking one foot in front of the other.

As we learned the hard way, there’s a lot more at stake, too.

Kinzler reportedly did everything right. He was an athletic adult who seemed to be the picture of health. That’s what made this so shocking.

This shouldn’t have happened to him. Then again, it shouldn’t happen to anybody. Despite everyone’s best efforts, though, some things are just out of your control.

Aidif said her neighbor knew Kinzler, and described him as the type of person others strive to emulate.

“You think you’re doing all the right things and it’s so hard to know,” Aidif said. “That’s where you really have to fall back on your faith and pray everything is OK.

“Because you just don’t know. There are no guarantees.”

There aren’t. Unfortunately, at some point another tragedy will occur, and as heart-breaking as it will be, it should not serve as an edict against running.

Paranoia and fear shouldn’t prevent anyone from embracing an activity that has inspired millions — including myself — to be active, live healthier and push past the limits of what you think is possible.

Because in the end, I truly believe the sport has saved far more lives than it has taken.